Robinson, 36, plied his trade for National League One club Fylde last season and was instrumental in their promotion to England's third-tier. Robinson, who won the World Cup with England in 2003, has also stepped down from his coaching and club ambassador roles at the club.

Robinson won the 2006 Premiership title with Sale but will now focus on his business interests. "I need a knee operation and I have been thinking about retiring once and for all over the past couple of months," Robinson said, talking to BBC Radio Lancashire. "After 541 games of competitive rugby, I think the time is right to stop. I have had a fantastic career and a good year with Fylde, especially with the promotion to National League One. But it is the right time to quit while I am ahead.

"When I look back and look at the stats, World Cups, Lions tours and Challenge Cups, I can certainly look back with some fantastic memories. I have ticked almost every box there is to tick, so it was a pretty easy decision. There are other things for me to do now with my business interests, although I will play a few charity games to keep fit. When you have played so long you have still got to have something to keep going at."

Robinson's former team-mate and Premiership record try-scorer Steve Hanley was among the first to pay tribute to the former British & Irish Lion saying: "Quite simply, Jason is the best player to have ever played rugby."

Robinson began his career in rugby league with Hunslet before joining Wigan in 1992. The future British & Irish Lion switched codes to join Bath before journeying north and signing for Sale on November 5, 2000. He went on to make over 300 apperances for Sale and finished his Sale career on a high note in April 2007 scoring against former club Bath in the dying seconds to seal a 25-23 win in his final game. The utility back finished his career with 51 England caps and coached Sale through the 09-10 season alongside Kingsley Jones.